DSI Headache

Here I go again. I get everything out during daylight hours and jump through the hoops to make sure that I do everything correct. Choose a stable terrestrial object etc. etc. Then once it gets dark, I'm told that no imagers are found. I know that if at first you don't succeed, try try again. But how many times do I have to try try before I start pulling out my hair. I have a friend that has an extra to-u-cam or something like that laying around the house that is easier to use that he will sell to me. I heard along time ago that you can't teach old dogs new tricks. And I'm an old dog that loves this hobbie. Nobody said it was going to be easy. Anyone have any suggestions. Thanks.

[dmill1220]

Paul,
What are you using for an operating system, and is it XP-sp2?
dont give up! never Surrender!
it took me awhile to get mine going also, but now its awsome and Easy.
Give me some INfo Im sure I can get you going if you have the right system requirements.

Dennis

Hi Dennis
I'm using a Toshiba Satellite, Windows xp. I think that's what you mean by operating system. I got the scope 2 years ago, so I'm starting on year #3. AND I WILL NEVER SURRENDER. I have too much invested into this hobby as it is. Don't no what you mean by,"sp2". If you can ever help me, my wife and I, thank you very much in advance, especially my wife.
Paul

[dmill1220]

Hi Paul,
I have the same laptop the first thing you should do is check to see if you have Xp -SP2, to find out left click the start button, and right click the MY computer icon, then left click properties, it should say under the general tab what you have for a version of XP.

, if you dont have XP SP-2 You need to go to the Microsoft widows update site and install service pack 2. if you do have XP-sp 2 installed, the next step is to look at your processor and RAM to see if it meets the minimun requirements on the installation CD. its also right there under the general tab.

My Satelite toshiba has 3 USB ports the one on the left is a USB1.1 the ones towards the right rear and next to the CD drive are the USB 2.0
use one of these ports, the DSI uses a full powered USB 2.0 port. it drains the toshiba batteries fast.
I use a 12 volt car battery and a 12v to 110v converter to power my laptop when im in the field.

first try starting your computer without opening the Autostar software. or installing the Autostar Cd in the drive, turn you volume up ,and connect the Camera end first. then connect it to the USB 2.0 port on your laptop.

you may get a prompt to install new hardware or you will hear the familiar dong ding sound when the hardware is detected and the USB DSI driver is loaded. or you will get an error message. that may say Driver failed.

if not, then the add new hardware wizard should start. it will give you a choice of installing from a specific location or it asks you to insert the Manufacturers CD. insert the manufacturers cd and click next.

You should see the Meade LPI driver installed successfully info box pop up on the lower right part of you screen above your clock.

if this fails. remove the Autostar software and the Meade LPI driver from your computer through the control panel.

to do this, left click the start button find the control panel icon and left click that, under the control panel window, left click the add or remove programs icon.

first remove the Autostar software suite then remove the Meade LPI Driver. after you have removed both, close the control panel window and any other window to get back to your desk top.
unplug the DSI and remove the Autostar CD. and restart your computer.

After your restart do not plug in the DSI camera just re install the autostar software suite and say yes to this has not been tested by MicroSoft and continue with the installation.

before you connect your DSI camera, make sure you have not opened the Autostar software suite. you should be at the desktop. the camera driver must be recognized before you can open the software. each and every time you go to use it.

If this dont work get back to me, we then need to see if there are any driver conflicts in the device manager.
let me know how you do.

Dennis

Hi Dennis
My Toshiba has 3 usb ports also. As I am at the computer, there is one port on the right side. The other two are at the rear on the left side. And my cd drive is on the left side.
I followed your instructions on how I should plug the camera into the usb ports, and it seems to work with the lpi, But not the dsi. And the lpi works on all 3 of the usb ports. At least I have the lpi working so far. I have a little room next to my house where I can have my laptop pluged in while I use it with the scope so I don't drain the batteries to much.I will try again tomorrow with the dsi.I am waiting for the moon to come into veiw so I can check it out with the lpi. Wish me luck, and I will keep you posted.

[dmill1220]

Originally Posted by paul

Hi Dennis
My Toshiba has 3 usb ports also. As I am at the computer, there is one port on the right side. The other two are at the rear on the left side. And my cd drive is on the left side.
I followed your instructions on how I should plug the camera into the usb ports, and it seems to work with the lpi, But not the dsi. And the lpi works on all 3 of the usb ports. At least I have the lpi working so far. I have a little room next to my house where I can have my laptop pluged in while I use it with the scope so I don't drain the batteries to much.I will try again tomorrow with the dsi.I am waiting for the moon to come into veiw so I can check it out with the lpi. Wish me luck, and I will keep you posted.

Hi Paul,
When you plug in the DSI what happens?
The DSI driver and the LPI driver are the same, do you hear that tadond tading sound when you plug it in?
you may just have to select which camera you are using in the DSI imager Program, if you got the latest updates from Meade, the DSI software will run both at the same time, you could just be having a simple conflict that may be corrected just by selecting which camera in the software program.
Good Luck with the LPI! waiting to hear from you!
Dennis